There was lots of tail-wagging and face-licking as Kodi, this year’s winner of the Palm Dog, the canine equivalent of the Cannes Film Festival’s top prize, went up to receive his red collar for the French comedy Dog on Trial on Friday.The Griffon mix was praised for his “breathtaking” performance as Cosmos, a guide dog for a visually impaired man, who goes on trial over an attack, in a case whose outcome could mean death.“This film is very significant because it not only explores the bond between humans and dogs but it takes a satirical, comedic but quite profound look at the way that we domesticate dogs and the way that we relate to dogs, and the way our justice system relates to dogs,” said critic and jury member Anna Smith.Cosmos is hauled before a judge for biting three people, and a young lawyer battles to save him from being put down in this bittersweet Swiss comedy.However, canine actor Kodi – a former street dog from the south of France, found in a shelter – steals the show with a paw-fect performance.The film’s director initially “told us Kodi wouldn’t have much to do”, recalled animal trainer Juliette Roux-Merveille.However, when she received the script, she realised Kodi would have to perform as many as 100 on-camera movements – including a few new tricks.“Kodi didn’t know how to howl, so we played him the sound of a meowing kitten and it worked,” she told AFP.Xin, the greyhound who made a star turn in Chinese director Guan Hu’s Black Dog, was awarded the Palm Dog’s Grand Jury Prize.In the movie, a former convict returning to his hometown in northwest China joins a dog patrol tasked with clearing stray mutts from the streets before the 2008 Olympics.However, when he tries to capture a black Jack Russell-greyhound cross, the dog proves a wily adversary and the pair strike up a bond.Canine star Xin proved such a hit on set that she was adopted by her human counterpart, Taiwanese superstar Eddie Peng, after filming had finished.Kodi succeeds last year’s winner, Messi from Justine Triet’s Anatomy of a Fall.Other past winners include Brandy, a pit bull belonging to Brad Pitt’s character in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and Tilda Swinton’s spaniels, who co-starred with her in a film directed by Joanna Hogg.The unofficial awards show, which was created in 2001, is now in its 24th edition.Attracting dog lovers, from journalists to Hollywood stars including Quentin Tarantino, the unique and extremely kitsch prize is awarded by bone-a fide film critics, who also pay close attention to animal welfare on set.Initially conceived as a joke, it has become a way for Cannes movies to earn extra attention.And this year, pooches have made their presence felt far beyond the event.Last year’s Palm Dog winner Messi was invited back to “interview” stars on the red carpet.Equipped with a special 360° microphone and camera attached to his back, the Border Collie bounded up the steps to pose for photographers at the festival’s opening ceremony.

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